(KXAN) — Severe weather and hail hit Central Texas Thursday afternoon and evening.
According to the KXAN First Warning Weather team, a complex of severe thunderstorms brought flash flooding and water rescues in north Austin, large hail to many communities, and Tornado Warnings in several counties. Storms continued south of Austin overnight, but will clear the area Friday after a quick early-morning sprinkle.
All of Central Texas was under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 10 p.m. Thursday, which meant conditions are favorable for the development of storms. Some areas experienced Severe Thunderstorm Warnings and Tornado Warnings as well.
Read the details in our weather recap and live blog below.
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Recap of Thursday’s severe weather event
Isolated storm development Thursday afternoon produced brief quarter-size hail in Leander. An evening cold front then brought the main event.
Ping pong ball size hail was reported in Fredericksburg, Liberty Hill and La Grange as a lumbering complex of storms made its way southeastward. Storms stalled over north Austin dropping 4.64″ in Walnut Creek in north Austin in less than 2 hours, 1.52″ of which fell in 15 minutes.
This prompted at least 8 water rescues in various north Austin locations. Walnut Creek surged to 23 feet deep, where two people were pulled from the creek. One other water rescue victim went to the hospital. Around 20-30 cars were stranded for some time at Highway 183 and Duval as people unknowingly drove on the service road into waist/chest-deep water. Emergency crews had to help the stranded drivers to safety, who were able to leave after water receded.
There were three tornado warnings — eastern Milam County, parts of Bastrop/Fayette counties, then briefly for extreme southern Hays County late Thursday night. We have not yet received any confirmed tornado reports. If you have any storm damage, safely send pictures or videos to reportit@kxan.com.
Follow along in our weather blog below
Severe weather live blog
Friday, April 21
9:40 a.m.
TxDOT Austin: All lanes of southbound FM 973 at Braker Lane all lanes closed due to high water.
Travis County Emergency Services District 12 said Lexington Street near the Shadow Glen Golf Club is closed due to flooding of the low water crossing.
8 a.m.
Several low water crossings in Round Rock are closed:
200 E Old Bowman
Memorial park (753 Summit St)
170 W Nash St
Round Rock Ave at Chisholm Trail (in construction area)
1525 E. Palm Valley
7:22 a.m.
A person was rescued from a vehicle that went into water on West Parmer Lane just north of Highway 45. ATCEMS said the person did not need to be transported by an ambulance.
Water rescue on W. Parmer Lane (Courtesy: ATCEMS)
Water rescue on W. Parmer Lane (Courtesy: ATCEMS)
Water rescue on W. Parmer Lane (Courtesy: ATCEMS)
6:48 a.m.
Austin-Travis County EMS is responding to a water rescue on West Parmer Lane. A vehicle was reported to be in the water on W. Parmer just north of Highway 45.
ATCEMS said the water was not reported to be moving.
6:30 a.m.
Travis County Sheriff’s Office says barricades are up on Murchison Street at FM 973 in Manor.
TCSO also said barricades are up in the 13500 block of Old Kimbro Road in Manor.
4:30 a.m.
Travis County Sheriff’s Office reported high water in the 9600 to 10600 block of North FM 973 Road just southwest of Manor.
Thursday, April 20
11:05 p.m.
A complex of storms is moving across the I-35 corridor. Large hail is the main threat with weakening rotation. The Tornado Warning will expire at 11:15 PM. Seek shelter if you are outdoors.
11:00 p.m.
Power outages:
Austin Energy: 468 affected customers
Oncor: 2,458 affected customers
Bluebonnet: 593 affected customers
10:55 p.m.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning including New Braunfels TX, San Marcos TX and Kyle TX until 12:00 AM CDT. This storm will contain wind gusts to 70 MPH and two-inch-sized hail!
10:45 p.m.
NWS issued a Tornado Warning for parts of Hays County, including Canyon Lake TX, Gruene TX and Hunter TX until 11:15 PM CDT
10:40 p.m.
9300 Springdale Rd near Ferguson Ln in N Austin is closed due to flooding.
As of 10:40 p.m., ATCEMS has conducted nine water rescues.
10:30 p.m.
Power outages:
Austin Energy: 380 affected customers
Oncor: 2,517 affected customers
Bluebonnet: 253 affected customers
Strong to severe thunderstorms continue through the Hill Country into the Coastal Plains. Hail, damaging winds, cloud-to-ground lightning, and flooding are possible with some storms.
10:15 p.m.
Heavy rains caused increased flows in North Austin Creeks including Bull, Walnut & Harris Branch. We are beginning to see creek levels fall in north Austin as the flow moves further downstream, additional rain may cause this to increase.
10:05 p.m.
Power outages:
Austin Energy: 381 affected customers
Oncor: 2,515 affected customers
Bluebonnet: 158 affected customers
9:19 p.m.
Tornado Warning issues for Bastrop and Fayette Counties
Ping pong sized hail possible in the area of the tornado southwest of Smithville, per KXAN meteorologist Nick Bannin.
8:45 p.m.
Thousands of customers remained without power in Bexar County are without power, according to the CPS Energy outage map. At least 39,065 customers are without power. The map was last updated at 8:45 p.m., the website said.
8:30 p.m.
Austin-Travis County EMS said in a tweet a water rescue was in progress at 2800-2900 Duval Road at approximately 8:30 p.m.
Austin-Travis County EMS said in a tweet that a water rescue was in progress on the Research Boulevard southbound service road shortly before 8:40 p.m.
“First responders are continuing to report additional vehicles driving into the water in this area & surrounding areas. More to follow,” ATCEMS said.
Third water rescue incident is happening at north U.S. Highway 183 service road southbound and Balcones Club Drive, Medics said.
Another incident occurred at West Longspur Boulevard and North Lamar Boulevard. Medics said there are reports of people trapped between a fence and creek yelling for help. A fifth incident is at 13717 N Mopac Expy in the northbound lanes.
Medics said one patient is being taken from the Longspur Boulevard and North Lamar Boulevard incident due to an injury received while exiting the water. Furthermore, medics said the injury is not life-threatening.
Another water rescue occurred just before 9:30 p.m., medics said, at 12038-12078 N IH 35 Sbvrd Sb. Reports of two people are stuck in the water. Medics confirmed one of the two people are out of the water. The Austin Fire Department team made contact with the second person and reported additional patients in the area in the water.
8:35 p.m.
Stubbs Austin confirmed on Twitter that Umphrey’s McGee was being evacuated due to severe weather. Stubbs expects the delay to be temporary and will update social media with news. Concert goers should calmly exit the venue and seek shelter at Red River.
8:20 p.m.
NWS received reports of low water crossings flooded in some areas of Bexar and Travis Counties. Turn Around, Don’t Drown if you encounter a flooded roadway!
Strong to severe storms continue along a line from Fredericksburg to Round Rock to College Station. The forward motion of these storms has slowed so flooding is becoming more of a concern, but hail and strong wind gusts remain possible. Turn around, don’t drown.
A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for parts of Louisiana and Texas until 2 AM
8:10 p.m.
Strong to severe thunderstorms ongoing. A heavy rainfall and flash flood threat has also developed across portions of the Austin and San Antonio metro areas. Turn Around, Don’t Drown if you encounter a flooded roadway!
Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Round Rock TX, Pflugerville TX and Wells Branch TX until 9:00 PM
8:05 p.m.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Fredericksburg TX and Blumenthal TX until 9:00 PM
7:50 p.m.
Flash Flood Warning including Austin TX, Round Rock TX and Cedar Park TX until 10:45 PM CDT
7:45 p.m.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning including San Antonio TX, Converse TX and Kirby TX until 8:45 PM
7:30 p.m.
Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of SE Williamson, Travis, NE Bastrop & N Lee Counties thru 8PM CDT Sltrong thunderstorms along a line from near Thorndale to near Hutto to near Anderson Mill to near Spicewood. Movement SE 25 mph. Winds >40 mph & penny size hail.
7:20 p.m.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Somerset TX, Elmendorf TX and Von Ormy TX until 7:45 PM CDT. This storm will contain golf ball sized hail!
7:15 p.m.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning continues for San Antonio TX, Universal City TX and Converse TX until 7:45 PM CDT. This storm will contain golf ball sized hail!
Clouds in Spicewood. (Courtesy: Kristy and Mark Sprott)
7:00 p.m.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Round Rock TX, Cedar Park TX and Georgetown TX until 7:45 PM
Flash Flood Warning including San Antonio TX, Timberwood Park TX and Leon Valley TX until 10:00 PM
Severe Thunderstorm Warning continues for San Antonio TX, Universal City TX and Converse TX until 7:45 PM CDT. This storm will contain two-inch-sized hail!
FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM CDT For a portion of Burnet, Travis & Williamson. Heavy rain due to thunderstorms. Minor flooding is ongoing/expected to begin shortly in the advisory area. Between 1-3” of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 1-2” expected
6:55 p.m.
Severe storms stretching from the Hill Country to I-35 corridor near the Georgetown area. This activity will advance east-southeastward over the next few hours. Large hail, strong winds, frequent lightning and heavy rain accompany the storms.
6:50 p.m.
Severe Thunderstorms with large hail, strong winds, frequent lightning and heavy rain entering San Antonio proper.
A TORNADO WARNING has been issued by NWS for Milam County. Tornado warnings are triggered when a spotter sees a tornado or radar indicates possible tornadic rotation. Seek shelter in th is area IMMEDIATELY.
6:40 p.m.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning including San Antonio TX, Universal City TX and Converse TX until 7:45 PM CDT. This storm will contain two-inch-sized hail!
6:35 p.m.
Several severe storms span across the region. One severe storm is advancing east into Bexar County with large hail and strong winds. A cluster of severe storms in the Hill Country will move southeast toward the I-35 corridor in the coming hours.
6:25 p.m.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Cedar Park TX, Georgetown TX and Leander TX until 7:00 PM
Image of hail from north Fredericksburg (Courtesy Brian Lochte)
Image of hail from north Fredericksburg (Courtesy Brian Lochte)
Image of hail from north Fredericksburg (Courtesy Brian Lochte)
6:15 p.m.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Marble Falls TX, Kingsland TX and Burnet TX until 7:00 PM
6:10 p.m.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Burnet TX, Bertram TX and Liberty Hill TX until 7:00 PM
6:05 p.m.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Boerne TX, Helotes TX and Fair Oaks Ranch TX until 7:00 PM
5:45 p.m.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Fredericksburg TX, Llano TX and Oxford TX until 6:30 PM
5:30 p.m.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Fredericksburg TX and Morris Ranch TX until 6:15 PM
4:55 p.m.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning continues for Kerrville TX, Fredericksburg TX and Morris Ranch TX until 5:30 PM
4:45 p.m.
Scattered strong to severe storms continue to fill in across portions of South-Central Texas. Large hail, strong gusty winds, heavier downpours and frequent lightning are the primary hazards with these storms.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Kerrville TX, Fredericksburg TX and Morris Ranch TX until 5:30 PM
4:30 p.m.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Boerne TX, Comfort TX and Bandera TX until 5:30 PM
4:15 p.m.
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in place for parts of Williamson County until 5 p.m.
4:10 p.m.
Nearly 6,500 customers are affected by an Oncor power outage.
4:00 p.m.
NWS phone lines were cut accidentally due to construction, so NOAA weather radio alerts will NOT work today.
2:40 p.m.
A severe thunderstorm watch was issued for all of Central Texas until 10 p.m.
12:20 p.m.
The City of Taylor announced on Twitter that Thursday’s Music on Main has been canceled due to the forecasted rainy weather.
12 p.m.
Waterloo Greenway announced on social media Thursday’s Tales on the Trail event is canceled “due to inclement weather.” Waterloo said its next Tales on the Trail events will be held on May 11, June 8, and July 9.
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